When you've run into a wall with no place to go

[ It has been a good two weeks now since Miles and Ken got lost in the Ilex forest. However, as stated in our last airing of Shotas in Johto a few days back, the two boys have found their way to an actual path thanks to Pess remembering that she was a dog. After getting out of the forest, shoving the ever-jumpy Polydeuces, the ever-woobie Jason, a dazed Nyx, and the excited rest of their Pokémon onto Pess' back, climbing aboard themselves, and using the Pess Express for the rest of the way back to Goldenrod.... was a breeze.

Saturday: They stumbled into the city, still a bit giggly at how easy this now was, and after (a mental cheering of CIVILIZATION. CIVILIZATION) checking into the hotel and dumping their luggage, taking turns at showering - they made sure their Pokémon got cleaned up as well (minus Pess, who Miles took to the groomers in the Tunnel later) - both boys made their way to the Pokémon Center. Miles would now be working there again.

His plans for Goldenrod go as follows, in no specific order apart from #1:

1. Take a shower.
2. Punt Layton for getting stuck in an elevator.
3. Give Nanako her gift(s).
4. Send out all the White Day gifts (never mind that he isn't Japanese or even remotely close to it).
5. Get a job (because Franziska's brooch cost quite a bit).

And then, Sunday came. And guess who has finally gotten himself a new Pokégear after that last one took a misfortunate dive into the Slowpoke Well? Him. And Remus the Plusle is ecstatic that he can use this whenever he wants, now, without his trainer reprimanding him to make sure he asked Ken first (ffffff o9 ).

So this fine, fine Sunday, Johto will for the first time in weeks get a video post from a Pokégear from (1) Miles Edgeworth, and the feed opens up to show the boy crouched on the street by a vending machine, placing a can of lemonade into the reaching hands of a curious Charmander. Today is Cara's first day walking around in a big city, and it could be assumed that she'd pointed out the mysterious vending machine to Miles during her adventuring.

Remus records this scene for a few more seconds before, realizing that nothing special was really going to happen, he starts to pan the camera, searching for something interesting--

and finds a Box-n-Bag Monster.

A walking Box-n-Bag Monster.

A Box-n-Bag Monster who is coming closer to them, and trips ( "Ah--!" ) and nearly drops her boxes and shopping bags all over Miles when she is a couple feet away.

Needless to say, this is Miles, so he's already on his feet and helping this Box-n-Bag Monster with her luggage by the time she even trips, so there's one shota arm catching the toppling boxes, and the other shota arm reaching out to steady the little girl who tripped. ]

Are you alright?

Ah - yes, thank you... oh! Miles!

[ The little flustered looking girl that looks up at her savior is (1) Nanako Dojima , who smiles brightly in that cute Nanako way as she straightens herself, fixing her hold on the shopping bags that she managed not to drop. ]

You finally made it to Goldenrod! I'm glad.. you (and Ken both) have to be careful not to get lost again.

[ Miles shakes his head, hoisting the boxes more comfortably in his arms, when Nanako raises hers to carry them again. ] I'm sorry we worried you. We're fine now, but I'm worried you'll trip again. I'll help you carry these.

Oh..! [ Nanako smiles a little wider, and there's a giggle. ] Thank you, Miles! I just need to take these back to our hotel!

[ The camera is still recording as Cara, lemonade still held carefully in her hand, climbs up to Miles shoulder and perches herself atop one of the boxes (keeping herself on by clinging to a strand of Mile's hair) and the two children smile at each other and begin walking in the direction Nanako had been going. Remus follows.

A few minutes pass of idle chitter chatter, until Miles at his friend with curiosity. ] Say, Nanako, what are these boxes for?

Oh, these are for Big Bro! [ Nanako looks very, very proud of herself. ] It's his birthday today, so Dad and I are going to throw him a big party!

[ There is a short, short pause as Miles, who hasn't celebrated his birthday with anyone since DL-6, tilts his head thoughtfully because oh hey-- ] Today is your brother's birthday, too?

Yeah! Well, he's not really my brother.. he's my cousin, but he's like my big brother and it's his birthday toda--! [ She stops, then blinks. ] "Too"?

[ Birthdays aren't much of a big deal for Miles, especially not his own. He nods at Nanako's question like there's nothing wrong. ] I was born on the twentieth, as well.

[ And then the usually cheerful Nanako stops in her tracks, smile fading. Remus halts as well, and Miles stops a moment later, turning to her with another, quizzical tilt of his head. ]

Is something the matter, Nanako?

[ There is no response from the little girl to that question, but Remus' camera is still recording, and her face is quite visible. There was a thoughtful linefais she'd inherited from her detective father, a linefais when Miles affirmed her suspicions, but now that she's learned it was her friend's birthday today and oh my god she didn't know!?! that linefais tilts... down. In to a frown.

The frown grows deeper and deeper, her eyebrows furrowing, and she's silent the entire time until she eventually looks close to tears. When she speaks again, her voice is quiet. ]

Why didn't you tell me...?

Mm? [ Miles looks alarmed by the sudden look of not happy on Nanako's face, but he's apparently not sure why she's upset (great job, Edgeworth). ]

Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday today??? [ And Nanako is just flailing: she hops from foot to foot in a moment of of "WHAT DO" before, shoving the bags she was holding into Miles' hand, she shoots him a stern, ver very stern look. ] Um, you have to wait for me here, okay? I'll be back really soon!

[ .....And she's off, leaving Miles looking after her looking extremely confused, all of the girl's belongings held in his arms now. He blinks after her for a number of seconds before he finally takes note of the giggling Plusle beside him. He looks extremely flustered, and then even MORE flustered, when he sees the camera there.]

You were recording that, weren't you.

-- Mi! [ The giggling stops, and the feed cuts of hastily when Miles scowls at Remus. ]

[[ ooc: usedjunes has been written into this post with permission from her mun, Ame! Thanks for the dose of cute, Ame~ ]]

[The feed turns on this fine Tuesday afternoon from a Gear that hasn't posted in quite a while. The camera adjusts, focuses, and then shows a disgruntled looking child sitting - legs crossed, leaning back in the chair, with a serious line face - at a table in what looks like the café at the Goldenrod Hotel. A newspaper held in one hand, the other holding....

.....a cup of tea. That he drinks out of.

Good afternoon, residents of Johto, Miles Edgeworth has woken up and he snuck out of the Pokémon Center last night, too, but that's another story.]

Plus!

[The sudden voice is accompanied by the invasion of Remus the Plusle, who hops onto his trainer's lap and takes the cup of tea from him, sitting down and cheerily gulping down the warm drink. His moody expression brightening slightly into that of amusement, Miles gives a soft chuckle and lowers the paper, turning his full attention to the Gear that Remus must have turned on earlier.

First, he sighs. And then he glares at the camera.]
[Oh boy, is he pissed.]

Upon my waking up just last night, I was informed of your ill-mannered conduct upon your arrival in Johto. You acted rudely and immaturely, and - surely - as one who aspires to succeed that perfect Manfred von Karma, being able to civilly interact with those you meet would be an important skill?

First of all, I have done nothing to be called a coward by you.

Secondly, yelling my name into the network was an over-the-top, yet sufficient way of getting in contact with me. However, I was indeed asleep for the last few days, and refusing to believe the tale when told so was foolish of you. Proceeding then to snap at these people and antagonizing them is even worse.

[A pause, as he takes a breath and rubs his temple.]

As your older brother, and the reason why you ended up acting so disrespectfully to those who simply wanted to help you, I suggest that you rethink your actions carefully and apologize to them soon. Your father stressed the importance of perfection in every aspect of life - and if you are still aspring to fulfill that perfection, it would do you good to start by acting, at least, like you know how to speak without angering every face you see.

[Another pause, and then he looks away from the camera looking a bit squicked out.]

... I don't think I'll ever perfect imitating Mr. von Karma's way of talking.

[He reaches over to drink the tea, but the cup must have been emptied by Remus. He stops, sighs, and sends the camera another look.]

I'll be waiting for your call, Fran. That is all.

... I hope you're doing all right.